Conservatory of Flowers Tours and Activities

Fans of the curious and bizarre feel at home at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it houses rare and unusual plants from threatened rainforest environments. Pass a wide, welcoming front lawn and step inside the giant, white greenhouse to discover the beauty of the natural world.
The Basics
Opened in 1879, the Conservatory of Flowers is primarily a botanical garden. Tropical plants and trees are built into arrangements starting at floor level and soaring up toward the glass ceiling.
Experiencing this unique building at the eastern end of Golden Gate Park can be easily combined with other sites in the park. Whether by bike, bus, or Segway, tours of Golden Gate Park generally include a stop at the Conservatory of Flowers. Tickets to this Victorian greenhouse are available at the ticket booth outside the conservatory for self-guided tours. Docent-led tours must be requested in advance and can include a boxed lunch.
Discounted admission is included in two of San Francisco's popular visitor passes, which allow the passholder reduced entrance fees to a variety of local attractions.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The interior of the Conservatory of Flowers is similar to that of a tropical rainforest. Floors are often wet and temperatures may exceed 85°F (29°C).
- Shoes that can get wet are a must.
- Binoculars or a camera with a telephoto or macro lens are helpful to view exotic plants and butterflies.
- The conservatory is wheelchair accessible, but the pathways through the arrangements are quite narrow. Strollers aren’t allowed inside but can be parked on the grass by the front door.
- Booking a docent-led tour is a must for botanists and other plant enthusiasts.
- There are no restrooms inside the conservatory greenhouse.
How to Get There
San Francisco Muni offers convenient public transportation to Golden Gate Park with the 5 and 33 lines. Bike racks are located next to the east side of the conservatory entrance and near the restrooms on the west side. There are a few public parking spaces in front of the conservatory on John F. Kennedy Drive. On Sundays, Golden Gate Park is closed to vehicular traffic. Take the free shuttle bus around the park.
When to Get There
Arrive when the conservatory first opens to snag a parking space, avoid the crowds, and snap the best pictures of the plants. Weekdays are quieter than weekends when picnickers pack the lawns. The first Tuesday of the month offers free admission. The conservatory is closed on Mondays (except Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day), Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1, and closes at 2pm on December 24 (last ticket sold at 1:30pm).
San Francisco’s Home for Carnivorous Plants
The Conservatory of Flowers is a favorite with kids who love to see the many carnivorous plants. Rare and threatened orchids, aquatic plants, and both highland and lowland tropical plants native to Southeast Asia, Central America, and Africa call the conservatory home. Mist often wafts through the air to keep these colorful specimens comfortable.
Address: 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, California, USA
Admission: Varies
8 Tours and Activities to Experience Conservatory of Flowers
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Golden Gate Park Segway Tour - Easy to learn then 2.5 hours of gliding fun
234
Explore San Francisco’s beautiful Golden Gate Park on this 2.5-hour Segway tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll pass top attractions like the Japanese Tea Gardens, the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. All equipment is included, as well as a safety training. Cover even more ground on a Segway as you soak up Golden Gate Park's rich history and hidden gems from your guide.
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From
$79.00
From
$79.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Golden Gate Park All Day Bike Rental
5
Explore Golden Gate Park on your own with a self-guided bike tour from a convenient location in the nearby Haight-Ashbury district. With suggestions from the provided map, you can make your way to highlights such as the California Academy of Sciences, DeYoung Museum, Japanese Tea Garden and Legion of Honor. Stop at Stow Lake where paddleboats can be rented, or ride all the way through the park to the Great Highway and Pacific Ocean. Your bike rental includes lock, helmet and map.
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From
$32.00
From
$32.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Alcatraz and Golden Gate Park Guided Bike Tour
3
Combine two top activities in San Francisco with one package that includes tickets to Alcatraz Island and a bike tour of Golden Gate Park. When booking, select the date desired for your Alcatraz Island visit, which includes ferry ticket, admission, and self-guided audio tour. Your bike tour takes place the day before your Alcatraz reservation, and you can keep the bike until evening to explore more after the guided tour.
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From
$99.00
From
$99.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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San Francisco Scavenger Hunt: SF Park Tour and Haight-Ashbury Experience
Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.
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$12.31
From
$12.31

San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off 2 Day pass
4
Discover San Francisco from the Bay to the Pacific Ocean, with stops throughout for photo opportunities you won’t want to miss. Stunning panoramic views off Nob Hill and the colorful life of the Mission district. Come see the beauty of Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street, Chinatown, Civic Center, the breathtaking waterfront and the fashionable Union Square, these are just some of the sites you’ll treasure long after your visit to the magnificent city by the bay.
San Francisco is an extremely popular international tourist destination famous for its landmarks, including Alcatraz Island, the cable cars, and Coit Tower, its steep rolling hills, and its eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture. The city is also known for its diverse, cosmopolitan population, including large and long-established Asian American, and LGBT communities
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From
$55.00
From
$55.00

Private Segway Tour through Golden Gate Park - 3 hours with your own guide
1
See beautiful San Francisco by Segway on this 3-hour private tour. Enjoy routes that travel through Golden Gate Park and more. A local guide will lead the way, providing fun and insightful commentary as you discover San Francisco on two wheels.
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From
$160.00
Price varies by group size
From
$160.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Golden Gate Park Guided Bike Tour
3
Get a comprehensive tour of Golden Gate Park via bicycle on this guided bike tour. Follow your guide through the enormous park on a comfortable, modern bike; there's no need to worry about navigation, so you can just enjoy the scenery. Highlights include Strawberry Hill, the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the bison paddock. Along the way, learn about the park's history through your guide's commentary.
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From
$50.00
From
$50.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Golden Gate Park Surrey Rental
13
Rent your very own surrey to explore Golden Gate Park for an hour. These high-quality vehicles are the best way explore the park in a relaxing way with your friends and family. Pedal past Kezar Stadium, the Conservatory of Flowers, Shakespeare Gardens, the Japanese Tree Garden, Stow Lake Boathouse, and much more. Every handlebar features a take away map with a curated Surrey Route to make your ride even easier.
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From
$18.67
Price varies by group size
From
$18.67
Price varies by group size
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